Median Gross Rent, by Race/Ethnicity

Affordable Housing

Median Gross Rent, by Race/Ethnicity

What does this measure?

The most recent monthly rent plus the average monthly payments for utilities and fuel, as reported to the Census Bureau, adjusted for inflation and broken down by race/ethnicity. The median represents the mid-point of monthly rents (half the values are above the median and half below).

Why is this important?

For those who do not own their own home, rent is a necessary expense. The higher a family's rental expenses, the less they have to spend on their other needs. However, higher median rental values can also be indicative of a better home and community.

How is our region performing?

In 2012-16, median rents in Monroe County were $906 for white renters, $904 for Asian renters, $851 for African American renters, and $831 for Hispanic renters. There was less variation between the highest and lowest median rent paid by racial or ethnic groups within Monroe County (the highest median rent was 6% above the lowest) than there was at the national and state levels (38% and 26%, respectively).

Notes about the data

Data are presented in 2016 dollars. Multiyear data are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample, which paired up four counties (Orleans/Genesee, Wyoming/Livingston) due to relatively small populations. The American Community Survey combines five years of responses to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the first quarter.